Colt Richards Conversion 1860 Army

Published on February 13, 2016
Duration: 10:46

This review details the Colt Richards Conversion of the 1860 Army revolver, a crucial interim product developed due to the Rollin White patent. It highlights the repurposing of 1860 Army parts, the addition of a bored-through cylinder, loading gate, and ejector rod. The conversion offered modern cartridge capabilities before Colt's own solid-frame designs became available.

Quick Summary

The Colt Richards Conversion of the 1860 Army was an interim solution to the Rollin White patent, repurposing 1860 Army parts with a bored-through cylinder and loading gate. It fired the .44 Colt cartridge at about 650 fps, offering modern capabilities before Colt's own solid-frame designs.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Colt Richards Conversion 1860 Army
  2. 00:35Historical Context: Rollin White Patent
  3. 01:39Colt's Interim Solution: Percussion to Cartridge
  4. 02:35Design: Repurposing 1860 Army Parts
  5. 04:31Technical Modifications: Ejector & Cylinder
  6. 06:13Firing Pin & Sights Upgrade
  7. 07:18Caliber & Ballistics: .44 Colt
  8. 08:30Performance Comparison: .44 vs .45 Colt
  9. 09:29Patent Markings & Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary reason for Colt developing the Richards Conversion?

Colt developed the Richards Conversion primarily to create a metallic cartridge revolver before the expiration of the Smith & Wesson Rollin White patent in 1871. This allowed them to offer modern ammunition capabilities using existing 1860 Army parts as an interim product.

What key components were repurposed from the 1860 Army in the Richards Conversion?

The Richards conversion heavily utilized existing 1860 Army components, including the grip frame, barrel, and hammer. The main new parts were the bored-through cylinder, a loading gate, and an ejector rod assembly.

What caliber cartridge did the Colt Richards Conversion 1860 Army use?

The Colt Richards Conversion 1860 Army typically used the .44 Colt cartridge. This cartridge featured a heeled bullet design and had a muzzle velocity of approximately 650 feet per second.

How many Colt Richards Conversions were made?

Approximately 8,000 to 9,000 Colt Richards Conversions were manufactured over a two-year period, likely between 1871 and 1872, making them relatively rare historical firearms.

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